Mechanical separator



Dec. 3, 1935- F. PARDEE ET AL MECHANI CAL SEPARATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 5, 1935 s .m 1 :1 i- T. E E .Z ou FN= 02356 n V 0 Il m R R 5 2 f E m T A R m m T 1 m m D MW fi O O 9 W Dec. 3, 1935.

F. PARDEE ET AL MECHANICAL SEPARATOR Filed April 5, 1955 Jig- 6? 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY THEIR ATTORNEYS INVENTORSI Dec. 3, 1935.

F PARDEE ET AL 2,023,286

MECHANICAL SEPARATOR Filed April 5, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS i x? AN/IPI/FDEE Dec. 3, 1935. F. PARDEE ET AL MECHANICAL SEPARATOR Filed April 5, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IIIllII/Illlllllfd NVENTORS BY TH EIR ATTORN EYSFWvKP/WOEEL/k Patented Dec. 3, 1935 UNiii-ED STATES PATENT QFFE Pa, assignors to Anthracite Separator- Company, leiiazleton, Pa, a corporation of Pennsyl- Vania Application April 5, 1933, Serial No. 664,500

18 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved separator adapted to direct frictionally different classes of lumps, for example, such as coal and slate, or co a. and cinders, to different discharge points. The invention provides means which opcrate on a broadly new principle involving the application or" pressure and these means are ef fective to direct the lumps to different discharge points in accorance with the frictional characteristics of such lumps. My improved separator effectively separates refuse material, such as ashes which are lighter than coal, as well as slate which is heavier than coal. The separator of my invention is well suited for reclaiming coal from dump piles, containing a mixture of coal and cinders or coal, cnders and slate.

In the embodiments of the invention illustrated the lumps are indi idually to a classifier having pockets formed by relatively movable members, When one class of material, such as coal, having a low co- "'cient of friction is encountered, such material will be directed to a given discharge point. (in the other hand, when a material havin a greater cc-efilcient of friction, such as slate or cinders, is encountered the members will yield the material will be directed to another discharge point.

Fig. l is a side elevation, partly in section;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation partly broken away;

Fig. 3 is a plan of the feeding apparatus omitting certain parts for clearness;

Fig. 4 is a developed plan of the classifying mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a separate elevation of the classifying device; of which Figs. 6 to 11 are details;

Fig. 6 is a radial section;

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are sections on the correspondingly numbered lines of Fig. 6;

Figs. 10 and 11 are radial sections illustrating different conditions;

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of a modification;

Figs. 13 and 14 are sections on the correspondingly numbered lines of Fig.'12;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary plan of Fig. 12;

Figs. 16 and 1? illustrate another modification. Fig. 16 is an elevation of the feed and classifying mechanism, partly in section, and Fig. 1'? is a plan of the same. i

Referring first to Fig. 1, the mixture of coal and slate or the like (or other material composed of frictionally different classes of lumps) is fed down an inclined chute H which has an opening in its lower end overlying a longitudinal chute H2. The material drops from H into it and is carried along at a uniform rate by cleats i3 extending into the chute i2 and carried by the links of an endless chain i l which runs lengthwise over the chute i2 and around a driving pulley it. The chute i2 is narrow so that the lumps generally are carried along in single file 5 and at a regular rate by the cleats l3. From the trough it the lumps pass down a chute it the lower end i i of which is bent upward to regulate the speed, reducing it to about the linear velocity of the classifying mechanism. The end Eli is also twisted to guide the lumps into an angle of the chute which is centrally alined with the classifier.

The classifier comprises a number of pairs of members which form V-shaped pockets which 15 grip the lumps of slate but bear the lumps of coal free, moving the material past successive discharge points first for the coal and then for the slate. The slate, cinders, rock and other impurities have a frictional surface and are 20 gripped and held by the jaws, which preferably exert a spring pressure on the material. The coal has a smooth surface and slips on the jaws at the angle chosen, so that it falls out of the jaws at the first discharge point. The rough materiai is released by the spreading of the jaws at the next discharge point.

The classifier of Figs. 1 to 11 is in the form of a wheel with a hub l8 mounted on a shaft l9 rotated by a pulley 2d. Fastened to the hub at each end is a series of radial arms it. At their inner ends they are fiat so as to be flexible laterally but unyielding tangentially. At their outer ends, these spokes are connected together by a thin flexible plate (Figs. 6 and 9) which extends completely around the wheel.

Arms 23 are pivotally mounted on rings 24 which hold their inner ends in grooves 25 extending around the hub. Mounted on the end of each arm is a cap or jaw the opposite jaws 2t overlapping to form V-shaped pockets. Each jaw has its inner and outer edges embracing a looped spring 272'. The upper ends of these springs are clamped against the annular strip 22 by means of a second strip 2% which is crimped about the ends of the spring wires so as to space them.

The ends of the spokes 2i and the strips 22 and 28 run in a cam slot between walls 2% and 35;. This construction is duplicated at opposite sides. The cams are mounted on the inside of a circular yoke 39 which surrounds the wheel except at the inlet and outlets. Side plates 32 are fastened to the ring 3i to enclose the movable parts. The ring 3i is fixed. It consists of a top section, Fig.

1, which has fianges fastening it to a fioor 33 which is a little below the level of the shaft of the wheel. The upper segment has an opening through which the coal enters by way of the chute I6, I I. This is, therefore, the loading point. The lower half of the wheel is partially covered by a similar segmental plate 34 leaving the periphery open for the discharge of coal into the chute 35 and for the discharge of slate at a. later point into a chute 36.

Fig. 6 shows the normal or open position of the jaws, which is the position at the loading point. The cams 29, 30 at each side are in their outer positions as indicated in the development,

Fig. 4, at the loading point. As soon as the material is carried on the wheel past this point, the cams are brought closer together. The result is as shown in Figs. 10 and 11.

In Fig. 10 the dotted lines show the position of the jaws 26 when wide open and show a lump of coal 3! dropped therein. In full lines the jaws 26 are shown in the positions to which they are brought by the cams 29, 30 when the loading point is passed. The two opposite jaws are brought closer together. The lump of coal 3'! is so smooth and the angle between the jaws is such that the coal slides outward and is retained only by gravity.

In Fig. 11 a lump of slate 38 dropped between the jaws 26 when open holds them open, notwithstanding the cams have pressed inward the upper ends of the springs 38. The jaws are pressed towards each other with a spring pressure which is resisted by the slate whose comparatively rough surfaces refuse to slip on the inclined faces of the jaws.

In Fig. 4 the pieces of slate are indicated at 38 and coal at 31. The coal falls freely out of its pocket as each such pocket in turn is inverted above the chute 35. The slate is gripped and carried farther until near the opening to the chute 36 the cams 29, 30 on opposite sides are again spread apart to release the spring grip on the slate and let it drop out.

The principal modification represented by Figs. 12 to 14 is in the substitution of an endless belt or chain for the classifier wheel of Fig. 1. The carrier consists of a cable 39 (Fig. 14) on which are mounted pairs of arms 46 spreading outward in V-shape and fastened at their ends to cables M. The chain thus formed passes over guide pulleys 42 and 43 which drive it in the directions of the arrows, Fig. 12. Either pulley may be driven, as for example the pulley 42 which is on a shaft 44 mounted in bearings and driven by a belt. The pulley 42 has a V-shaped groove in which the arms 40 are held as they advance around the pulley. The pulley 43 has a groove of similar shape, but wider or more flaring. The coal enters from a feed chute 45 of any suitable type; the coal discharges into a chute 46 and the slate discharges into a chute 41.

The arms are spread apart to a comparatively wide angle at the loading point. They are pinched together as they approach the pulley 42 (whose groove functions like the cams of Fig. 9). Thus the slate lumps alone are gripped and the coal lumps are discharged by the mere inversion of the pockets; the arms spread apart again at their emergence from the pulley 42 and drop the slate into the trough 46.

It is important that the material should be fed to the classifying wheel, chain or other carrier at about the same rate that the carrier advances. Thus the lumps enter the widely opened pockets to the full depth permissible before these pockets arrive at the point where the sides are brought together to pinch the material. A suitable feed is shown more in detail in Blatch Patent 1,573,035, February 16, 1926. 5

Various other types of carrier may be designed working on principles substantially similar to those above described. And the mode of classification by gripping within V-shaped pockets may be utilized in mechanism in a fixed location (Figs. 16 and 1'7 for example) as well as in mechanism which moves bodily in order to carry the material to points of discharge.

Any one of the different feeding mechanisms referred to may be used in connection with any 15 one of the classifiers. This applies to the mechanisms above described and also to those follow- Referring to the modification of Figs. 16 and 1'7, A and B represent the main operating mem- 20 bers. The member A is formed of a plurality of plates III) held in parallel relationship with one another by suitable through-bolts II2 carrying spacing members I I3. This member A is adapted to be reciprocated back and forth by means of pitmans IIE connected to crank pins II8 of cranks I26 secured to a main drive shaft I22. The reciprocating member A travels in suitable guides E24 secured to the base plate I 26.

The member B is formed of a plurality of plates 30 I23 spaced apart at the bottom by spacers carried by a suitable through-bolt E30. At the top, the plates constituting the member B are pivotally mounted on a shaft I32, which carries at its outer end an arm I3 having a counter-weight 3 I36 secured thereto.

The opposite edges I 38 and I46 of the plates I II and H28 are obliquely inclined to one another, as shown and the members A and B, thus jointly form a substantially V-shaped pocket, indicated 40 at P.

The lumps of material to be separated are fed individually to the pocket P. As the shaft I22 rotates, the several plates of the member A will approach the plates of the pivoted member B. Assuming the lump, indicated at C, for example in Fig. 16, is of a material having a low co-efficient of friction such as coal, continued movement of the member A toward the member B will cause the lump to be lifted. As the member A continues its forward stroke the lump C will be lifted out of the pocket and will ride over the plate I42 carried by member B and thus be directed to the discharge chute I44 which leads to a suitable receptacle for the reception of coal.

In the event that the material having a relatively high co-emcient of friction such for example as slate D is fed to the pocket P, when the member A is fed toward the member B the latter will yield, and the high friction material will exert sufficient bite on the member B so that continued movement of the member A will rock the member B on its pivot 32, thus causing it to yield.

This movement will be effective to direct the lump of slate or the like to the discharge chute I46 adapted to lead to a suitable bin or refuse pile.

In the machine of Figs. 16 and 17 the member B is yieldingly held in the position by the counter- 7) weight 36 resting on the stop I48 when coal or other low friction material is engaged between the co-operating members. When slate is engaged the weight is lifted, there being a stop I50 to limit the throw of the counter-weight.

in this modification of Figs. 16 and 17 the feeding means include fingers I52 located between the plates I Ill and pivotally supported on a shaft I54 carrying a vertically disposed weighted arm I56 at its outer end.

Each finger I52 has an upwardly extending prong I58 to restrain the lumps of material from falling into the pocket P until the finger is depressed. The upper edges i853 of the plates IIB are inclined at an angle to the horizontal as shown and the material runway plate I62 is inclined at substantially the same angle and has an opening therein through which projects a roller I54. roller is adapted to be turned intermittently in synchronism with the reciprocating movements of the member 553 so as to feed one lump of material at a. time to the top of the member A.

The lumps are supplied from a suitable bin i 66 and they flow by gravity on to the runway'plate I62. The intermittent motion for the feed roller I64 may be secured, for example, by means of a ratchet I68 driven by a pawl I'll) carried on an arm I12 actuated by a link ill-'4 from a crank pin H5 carried by a crank H3 secured to the main shaft I22. The ratchet will drive a shaft Iii!) carrying a pulley or sprocket E82 connected by means of a chain or belt 58:2 with a pulley or sprocket I86 secured to the shaft carrying the feed roller I64.

In the operation of this feed device as the roller 664 is turned it will release one lump which will permit the same to slide by gravity to the position shown at Ifn'i where it is restrained by the prong 558. As the member A travels forward, the lump of material is still restrained by the prong 953. At this time, the member A has reached the limit of its forward movement and the operating crank 628} is approximately at dead center. As the crank reaches this position, the inertia or momentum imparts an impulse to the weighted arm l56 secured to the finger carrying shaft, thus causing the finger to drop thereby releasing the lump so that as the member A continues to move back the lump falls into the pocket P. The rocking movement of the weighted arm and therefore of the fingers is limited in one direction by a stop I538 carried by a bar or bracket I99 secured to any fixed part of the position. A similar stop I92 carried by a similar bracket limits the movement of the weighted arm in the opposite direction.

For positively returning the fingers to lumpretaining position, such as indicated at Figs. 16 and. 17, the finger carrying shaft I54 is provided with a rearwardly extending arm set, the extremity of which is adapted to ride under a fixed cam bar I96. With this arrangement, it will be understood that as the member A moves to the right, the extremity of the arm I94 will strike the cam and thus restore the finger to the position of Fig. 16.

What we claim is:

1. A separator for lump material comprising opposed sets of thin edged members relatively movable one toward the other and whose opposed edges pocket, cam means for positively moving one set of said members toward and from the other set and resilient elements interposed between said members and said cam means, the opposed members being effective to grip materials of high frictional characteristic and slip relatively to materials of lesser frictional characteristics.

,2. A separator comprising a rotor carrying a jointly form a lump receiving multiplicity of oppositely disposed thin edged pivotally mounted members jointly forming a pocket for receiving lumps of material of differing frictional characteristics to be separated, respective yielding el ments secured adjacent the free ends of said pivoted members and means coacting with the yielding elements effective to.

cause the pivotally mounted members to move relatively to one another, the opposed pivoted members being effective to grip materials of high frictional characteristic and slip relatively to materials of lesser frictional characteristics.

3. A separator carrying a multiplicity of pivoted members carrying respective thin edged ele ments at their outer extremities which make an edge wise frictional engagement with materials to be separated and which are shaped to jointly form a pocket for receiving said lumps of material, resilient members secured to said elements and respective cam means acting through the agency of said resilient members for effecting the relative movement between the pivotally mounted members.

l. The separator of claim 2, in combination with feeding means comprising a downwardly inclined chute twisted angularly at its extremity and efiective to limit the rate of the feed to correspond substantially with the rate of travel of the lump receiving portion of the separator.

5. The separator of claim 2, in combination with feeding means comprising a downwardly inclined chute having an upwardly directed terminal portion effective for limiting the rate of feed to correspond substantially with the peripheral speed of the lump receiving portion of the separator.

6. A separator comprising scissor-like members adapted to make an edgewise frictional engagement with lump material to be separated and adapted to grip high friction materials and to slip relatively to low friction materials, and means for causing the edges of said members to approach and recede from one another so as to act on each lump of material fed. between them.

7. A separator comprising coacting thin-edged scissor-like members arranged to exert an edgewise pressure on the lumps to be separated, one of said members being arranged to remain substantially stationary when material of low frictional characteristics is engaged therewith and to yield to release the material of higher frictional characteristics when encountered.

8. A separator comprising coacting members arranged to form a pocket to receive the materials of differing frictional characteristics, means for positively moving one of the members relatively to the other, and means eifective to prevent material discharging movement of the other member, when material of one frictional class is embraced by said coacting members and to permit such movement when another frictional class of material is embraced by said members.

9. A separator comprising two sets of thinedged plate-like members jointly forming a material receiving pocket, means for feeding lumps to said pocket, one set of said members being positively movable toward the other set and said other set being arranged to yield only when one predetermined frictional class of material is encountered.

10. A separator comprising two sets of thinedged plate-like members jointly forming a downwardly converging material receiving pocket, means for feeding lumps to said pocket, means for positively moving said one set of members,

and means for supporting the other set of said members with freedom to yield when a predetermined frictional class or" lump is encountered.

11. A separator comprising two sets of platelike members whose opposed edges jointly form a material receiving pocket said members being effective to grip materials or" high coefficient of friction and to slip relatively to materials of lower coefficient of friction, means for feeding lumps to said pocket, means for moving one set of said members toward and from the other set, means for pivotally supporting said other set, and means yieldingly holding said other set of members in a predetermined angular position.

12. A separator for lump material comprising a moving set of plates, a set or" pivotally mounted plates associated therewith to form a lump receiving pocket, counter-balancing means tending to hold said pivotally mounted plates in a predetermined angular position, means for delivering the lump material to be separated on top of said moving plates, fingers movable with the latter plate, and means actuated in response to the movement of said moving set of plates for actuating said fingers to release the lumps to be separated.

13. A separator for lump material comprising a moving set of plates, each having an oblique forward edge for engagement with the material to be separated and an upper edge inclined to the horizontal over which the lump material is adapted to flow, fingers controlling the passage of lumps from said upper edge, and a yieldingly positioned set of plates coacting with said moving plates to direct one class of lumps to one discharge point and another class of lumps to a different dis charge point.

14. A separator for lump material comprising a moving set of plates, a set of pivotally mounted plates associated therewith to form a lump receiving pocket, counter-balancing means tending to hold said pivotally mounted plates in a predetermined angular position, means for delivering the lump material to be separated on top of said moving plates, pivotally mounted fingers and a weighted arm for actuating said fingers movable with latter plates, and means for limiting the pivotal movement of said fingers.

15. Apparatus for separating coal from slate or the like comprising two sets of plates having coacting edges jointly forming a converging pocket into which the lumps to be separated are adapted to be fed, means for moving one set of plates edge-wise toward the other set, means for movably supporting said other set of plates and means tending to maintain said other set of plates substantially stationary when coal is engaged therewith and to permit movement thereof when slate or the like is engaged therewith,

16. Apparatus for separating coal from slate or the like comprising two sets of plates having coacting edges jointly forming a V-shaped pocket, means for reciprocating one set of plates edgewise toward the other set, a pivotal support for said other set, counterbalancing means effective to hold said other set of plates substantially stationary when coal is engaged therewith and to permit their pivotal movement when slate is engaged therewith.

17. A separator for lump material comprising one set of reciprocating plates whose material engaging edges are inclined to the vertical, a second set of plates whose edges are oppositely inclined, thus forming a substantially V-shaped pocket for receiving the lumps, means for pivotally supporting said second set of plates, counterbalancing means normally holding the latter plates in a predetermined angular position, and means for carrying to a suitable receptacle the lumps lifted over said second set of plates.

18. A separator for lump material comprising one set of reciprocating plates whose material engaging edges are inclined to the vertical, a second set of plates whose edges are oppositely inclined, thus forming a substantially V-shaped pocket for receiving the lumps, means for successively delivering lumps to said pocket, said reciprocating plates being effective to cause one class of material to ride up over said second set of plates, means for carrying such lumps to a suitable receptacle, and said second set of plates being adapted to be rocked to discharge another class of material downwardly to another receptacle.

FRAWK PARDEE. FRANK PARDEE, JR. 

